Antifreeze is Deadly to Children & Animals - Help Make it Safe

Antifreeze tastes good -- and that's why thousands of children and pets are poisoned each year.

When children and pets come across antifreeze in the garage, on a shelf, or in a closed cupboard, they are too often tempted to take a sip. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine estimates more than 700 children under the age of six, and nearly 10,000 dogs and cats were exposed to its poisonous ingredients. 

We need your help to make antifreeze safer!

Because antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, it tastes good! Congress is considering the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Bittering Agent Act of 2005, which requires manufacturers to add a bittering agent to all antifreeze containing more than 10% ethylene glycol. Thus, children and animals will be discouraged from ingesting it. Adding a bittering agent like denatonium benzoate -- one of the bitterest substances available and is now used safely in many other household products -- will increase the cost of antifreeze by only two cents per gallon. It's a small price to pay for the safety of kids and pets.

The American Humane Association, the nation’s oldest organization that protects both children and animals, is supporting this legislation and we need your help. Please -- sign our petition telling your senators to vote yes on the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Bittering Agent Act of 2005, and require manufactures to do the right thing to save the lives of children and animals.

Dear Senator /name/,

I urge you to support S 1110, a bill requiring manufacturers of antifreeze to add an inexpensive bittering agent (denatonium benzoate) to their consumer products. If passed, this legislation would decrease or eliminate the risk of injury or death for children and animals that come in contact with deadly antifreeze products.

Children and animals accidentally ingest antifreeze each year due to its sweet smell and taste. Ingestion of antifreeze is often fatal, even when consumed in small quantities.

Three states have passed legislation requiring a bittering agent be included in antifreeze. And, the United States Conference of Mayors recently adopted a resolution supporting legislation in Congress requiring the inclusion of denatonium benzoate to engine coolants and antifreeze that contain more than 10% ethylene glycol.

Denatonium benzoate -- one of the bitterest substances available -- has been used safely for many years in household products and personal care products. Adding this agent increases the cost of antifreeze by only two cents per gallon -- a small price to pay for the safety of kids and pets.

S 1110 is an inexpensive measure that helps save lives of children and animals.

Sincerely,

/name/
/address/
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